Electronic apparatus and display panel enclosure

ABSTRACT

A display unit includes a substrate supporting section having: a first supporting structure for supporting a first circuit substrate; and a second supporting structure for supporting a second circuit substrate is provided. The first circuit substrate has a relatively small area and is selected when a first display panel having a single light source for emitting backlight is selected, and the second circuit substrate has a relatively large area and is selected when a second display panel having two light sources for emitting backlight is selected. The first supporting structure has a supporting claw for supporting the first circuit substrate such that the front side of the first circuit substrate is directed upward and the second supporting structure has a stand on which the second circuit substrate is mounted to be supported thereby such that the front side of the second circuit substrate is directed downward.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an electronic apparatus having a display panel provided with a display screen for displaying information and a light source for backlighting the display screen, and to a display panel enclosure for housing the display panel.

2. Description of the Related Art

In recent years, personal computers (hereinafter referred to as “PC”) have been widely used not only in office but also at home. As one type of PC, the so-called “notebook type personal computer” (hereinafter referred to as “note PC”) is widely known. The notebook PC has a first enclosure that is a main unit having a keyboard on its top surface and a second enclosure that is a display unit having a display panel and coupled to the first enclosure by a hinge member in an openable and closable manner. The second enclosure is opened to be approximately upright on the first enclosure when it is used, and is closed to lie on the first enclosure when it is not used.

The display panel is provided with a display screen for displaying information and a light source for backlighting the display screen. In recent years, as the notebook PCs become more and more various, in more and more cases, either a display panel having a single light source for backlighting the display screen or a display panel having two light sources for backlighting the display screen is selected, whichever is suitable for the type and function of notebook PC, and the selected display panel is disposed in the display unit. When the display panel having a single light source is selected, a circuit substrate, which has a relatively small area on which a light control circuit for controlling the lighting of the light source is mounted, is employed. On the other hand, when the display panel having two light sources is selected, a circuit substrate, which has a relatively large area on which a light control circuit for controlling the lighting of the light sources is mounted, is employed.

In this case, if the circuit substrate having a relatively small area and the circuit substrate having a relatively large area are both disposed in the display unit of the notebook PC, it is necessary to provide a large space for these substrates in the display unit and therefore, it is difficult to meet the demand for reducing the size of the notebook PC with such a structure.

Conventionally, some techniques have been proposed to mount electronic components of different sizes.

For example, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2003-60110 proposes a technique for selectively mounting semiconductor chips of different sizes on the surface of a wiring board where a wiring pattern whose structure is elaborated is formed.

Further, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 3-27985 proposes a technique for realizing an increase in density by providing an opening section at a semiconductor-element mounted portion of a circuit board and housing a semiconductor element in the opening section.

Furthermore, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 57-71196 proposes a technique of mounting semiconductor elements on the front and back sides of a circuit substrate and connecting the external lead terminal of the semiconductor element on the front side of the circuit substrate with that of the semiconductor element on the back side of the circuit substrate via the same through hole, thereby decreasing the capacitance generated at the external lead thermals as well as reducing the through hole.

Still furthermore, Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2001-24146 proposes a technique for realizing electrically-balanced connection by arranging two semiconductor chips to be opposite each other via the center line on a circuit substrate in between.

However, in the technique proposed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2003-60110 for selectively mounting the semiconductor chips of different sizes mounted on the wiring board whose wiring pattern structure is elaborated, it is difficult to reduce the space because the size of the wiring board is large.

Further, in the technique proposed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 3-27985 in which the opening section is provided at the semiconductor-element mounted portion of the circuit board and the semiconductor element is housed in the opening section, although the density can be increased, this document never mentions a decrease in the space for accommodating semiconductor elements of different sizes.

Furthermore, in the technique proposed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 57-71196 for connecting the external lead terminal of the semiconductor element on the front side of the circuit substrate with that of the semiconductor element on the back side of the circuit substrate via the same through hole, it is possible to decrease the capacitance generated at the external lead thermals as well as to reduce the through hole. However, this document also never mentions a decrease in the space for accommodating semiconductor elements of different sizes.

Still furthermore, in the technique proposed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2001-24146 in which two semiconductor chips are arranged to be opposite each other via the center line on a circuit substrate in between, it is possible to realize electrically-balanced connection. However, this document also never mentions a decrease in the space for accommodating semiconductor chips of different sizes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstance and provides an electronic apparatus and a display panel enclosure in which the space is saved.

An electronic apparatus of the present invention includes:

a display panel having a display screen for displaying information and a light source for lighting the display screen;

a circuit substrate mounted with a light control circuit for controlling lighting of the light source; and

an enclosure that has a substrate supporting section for supporting the circuit substrate, and houses and covers the circuit substrate, the enclosure housing the display panel such that a front surface of the display screen is exposed,

-   -   wherein the display panel is a panel selected from among plural         display panels having different numbers of light sources,     -   the circuit substrate is either a first circuit substrate with a         relatively small area to be selected when a first display panel         is selected from among the plural display panels or a second         circuit substrate with a relatively large area to be selected         when a second display panel is selected from among the plural         display panels, and     -   the substrate supporting section has a first supporting         structure for supporting the first circuit substrate and a         second supporting structure for supporting the second circuit         substrate.

In the electronic apparatus according to the present invention, the substrate supporting section for supporting the circuit substrate has the first supporting structure for supporting the first circuit substrate with a relatively small area and the second supporting structure for supporting the second circuit substrate with a relatively large area. Therefore, whichever the first circuit substrate or the second circuit substrate is selected, the selected circuit substrate can be supported by the single substrate supporting section. Accordingly, as compared with a case where a substrate supporting section for supporting the first circuit substrate and another substrate supporting section for supporting the second circuit substrate are incorporated in a display panel, it is possible to reduce the space in the enclosure according to the present invention.

Here, it is preferable that the circuit substrate has a front side where circuit components composing the light control circuit are mounted,

the first supporting structure has a supporting claw for supporting the first circuit substrate such that a front side of the first circuit substrate and the front surface of the display screen face in the same direction, and

the second supporting structure has a stand on which the second circuit substrate is mounted such that a front side of the second circuit substrate and the front surface of the display screen face in opposite directions.

In this way, when the first circuit substrate is selected, the first circuit substrate is supported by the supporting claw such that the front side of the first circuit substrate is directed upward, and when the second circuit substrate is selected, the second circuit substrate is mounted on and supported by the stand such that the front side of the second circuit substrate is directed downward. According to this additional feature, it is possible to effectively use the space in the vertical direction of the substrate supporting section and to support either the first circuit substrate or the second circuit substrate, whichever is selected.

It is also preferable that the enclosure has a back plate with an area larger than the display panel for housing the display panel and a front frame for covering a periphery of the display panel from the front surface side of the display screen, and

the substrate supporting section is disposed at such a position of the back plate that the substrate supporting section avoids overlapping the display panel.

According to this additional feature, as compared with a case where the substrate supporting section is disposed at a position overlapping the display panel, it is possible to reduce the size and to connect the circuit substrate supported by the substrate supporting section with the display panel by using relatively short wires.

Preferably, the electronic apparatus according to the present invention further includes a second enclosure coupled to the enclosure in an openable and closable manner.

This additional feature makes it possible to preferably apply the present invention to, for example, a notebook type personal computer and the like.

It is also preferable that the second enclosure is an enclosure that forms a data-processing unit provided with a keyboard disposed on a top surface thereof to input an instruction according to an operation.

According to this additional feature, it is possible to preferably apply the present invention to an electronic apparatus such as an input device having a data-processing unit provided with a keyboard on the top surface, whose reduction in thickness and size is strongly demanded.

Furthermore, the display panel enclosure, which is an enclosure that houses the display panel of the electronic apparatus of the present invention, is also an aspect of the present invention.

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide an electronic apparatus and a display panel enclosure in which the space is saved.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of outer appearance of a notebook PC in an open state;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the notebook PC illustrated in FIG. 1 in a closed state;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the under surface of the notebook PC illustrated in FIG. 1 in the closed state;

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a part of the under surface of the main unit of a notebook PC with the battery being disengaged;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a part of the under surface of the main unit from which a battery and an HDD housing section cover are removed;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a claw section of the HDD housing section cover;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of an engagement section of the HDD housing section cover;

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the under surface in the closed state of a notebook PC, which is different from the notebook PC illustrated in FIG. 3;

FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the under surface of the main unit of the notebook PC illustrated in FIG. 8 from which a battery, an HDD housing section cover and a memory-substrate housing section cover are removed;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an HDD to which an HDD mounting part is attached as viewed from above;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the HDD to which the HDD mounting part is attached as viewed from below;

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating the notebook PC from which a front frame of a display unit is removed;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged perspective view of a hinge member as well as a panel attaching member illustrated in FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating how a display panel is removed from the display unit;

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating the first circuit substrate with a relatively small area, which is removed from the display unit;

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a second circuit substrate for lighting the display panel, which is provided with two light sources emitting backlight;

FIG. 17 is an enlarged view of a part of the first supporting structure and a part of the first circuit substrate supported by the first supporting structure;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the notebook PC as viewed from the left side in an open state;

FIG. 19 is a perspective diagram of a CD/DVD drive unit removed from the main unit of the notebook PC;

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating the rear surface of the frame body removed from a tray;

FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating the front-end surface of the tray with the frame body being removed;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a heat radiating unit provided in the main unit;

FIG. 23 is a diagram of the heat radiating unit illustrated in FIG. 22 as viewed from below; and

FIG. 24 is an exploded perspective view of the heat radiating unit illustrated in FIG. 23.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below. In the following description, a notebook PC will be employed as an example of the electronic apparatus according to the present invention.

[Entire Configuration]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the outer appearance of a notebook PC 1 in an open state; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the notebook PC 1 in a closed state; and FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the under surface of the notebook PC 1 in a closed state.

The notebook PC 1 is configured by a main unit 10 and a display unit 20. The display unit 20 is connected to the main unit 10 with a hinge member 30 and can be changed between a closed state (see FIG. 2) in which the display unit 20 lies on the main unit 10 and an open state (see FIG. 1) in which the display unit 20 is open with respect to the main unit 10.

Arranged on the top surface of the main unit 10 are: a keyboard 11 for inputting instructions according to operations; a track pad 12, one type of pointing devises, for specifying an arbitrary point on a display screen 21 a (described later) according to operations; and an engagement hole 13 in which a hook 221 for locking is inserted.

In addition, the main unit 10 is provided with a CD/DVD drive unit 14 on its left flak as illustrated in FIG. 1 which drives a storage medium such as a CD or DVD when it is loaded with the storage medium.

Moreover, the main unit 10 is provided with a CPU and a large number of electronic components so as to carry out various kinds of operations by executing programs.

In addition, the main unit 10 is provided with a heat radiating unit (described later) for absorbing heat generated by the CPU and the like.

The display screen 21 a, a part of a display panel 21, is arranged on the front surface of the display unit 20, and the periphery of the display screen 21 a is covered by a front frame 26. In addition, the hook 221 for locking is provided on the front surface of the display unit 20. Specifically, the hook 221 is provided above the upper edge of the display screen 21 a in such a manner that the hook 221 protrudes from the front frame 26. The hook 221 enters the engagement hole 13 formed on the top surface of the main unit 10 when the display unit 20 is closed to lie on the main unit 10. The hook 221 is locked inside the engagement hole 13 so that the display unit 20 cannot be accidentally opened.

Moreover, an unlocking operation member 222 is arranged on the top surface of the display unit 20. When the operation member 222 is pushed in the closed state as illustrated in FIG. 2, the hook 221 moves in the unlocking direction so that the hook 221 is disengaged from the engagement hole 13 and the display unit 20 can be opened.

In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 3, arranged on the under surface of the main unit 10 as components required for later description are: a battery 15 for supplying built-in electronic components of the main unit 10 with power; an HDD housing section cover 16 for covering the HDD housing section where a hard-disk drive unit (hereinafter referred to as HDD) is housed; and a memory-substrate housing section cover 17 for covering the memory substrate housing section where a memory substrate mounted with a memory is housed.

So far, the notebook PC in its entirety has been described schematically. Now, each section of the notebook PC will be described in detail.

[Structure of HDD Housing Section Cover]

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating a part of the under surface of the main unit of the notebook PC from which the battery is removed, and FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a part of the under surface of the main unit from which the battery and the HDD housing section cover are removed.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, when the battery 15 is removed from the under surface of the main unit 10 of the notebook PC 1, there appears the battery housing section 10 a provided in the enclosure of the main unit 10 to house the removable battery 15. In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 5, when the HDD housing section cover 16 is removed as will be described later from the under surface of the main unit 10 of the notebook PC 1 in the state where the battery 15 is removed, the HDD 40 housed in the HDD housing section lob provided in the enclosure of the main unit 10 appears. In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the HDD housing section cover 16 has a claw section 16 a and an engagement section 16 b.

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the claw section 16 a of the HDD housing section cover 16, and FIG. 7 is an enlarged view of the engagement section 16 b of the HDD housing section cover 16.

The claw section 16 a of the HDD housing section cover illustrated in FIG. 6 is to be engaged with an engagement section of the HDD housing section 10 b. In addition, the engagement section 16 b of the HDD housing section cover 16 illustrated in FIG. 7 is to be engaged with a claw section of the HDD housing section 10 b. Specifically, the HDD housing section cover 16 covers the HDD 40 housed in the HDD housing section 10 b and can move between the locked position where detachment is not allowed and the unlocked position where detachment is allowed thereby preventing a shift from the locked position to the unlocked position in the state where the battery 15 is housed in the battery housing section 10 a. In other words, a shift from the locked position to the unlocked position is allowed only in the state where the battery 15 is removed from the battery housing section 10 a. More specifically, in the state where the battery 15 is housed in the battery housing section 10 a, the claw section 16 a of the HDD housing section cover 16 is engaged with the engagement section of the HDD housing section 10 b, and the engagement section 16 b of the HDD housing section cover 16 is engaged with the claw section of the HDD housing section 10 b and accordingly, the HDD housing section cover 16 is in the locked position where detachment is not allowed. Here, the battery 15 is removed from the battery housing section 10 a and the HDD housing section cover 16 is moved to the right side in FIG. 5. Then, the claw section 16 a of the HDD housing section cover 16 is disengaged from the engagement section of the HDD housing section 10 b, and the engagement section 16 b of the HDD housing section cover 16 is also disengaged from the claw section of the HDD housing section 10 b, thereby allowing the HDD housing section cover 16 to move from the locked position to the unlocked position.

Here, in the case of a conventional notebook PC, an HDD housing section cover is removed to replace an HDD without removing the battery. In this case, at the time of maintenance and the like, it is very likely that a user/operator may remove the HDD without being aware that the power of the notebook PC is still turned on by mistake or due to failure and the like. In such a case, if the HDD is attached or detached, the HDD may be deteriorated or damaged by the power supplied from the battery. In the present embodiment, the following operational procedure is required to replace the HDD 40: first the battery 15 is removed and subsequently, the HDD housing section cover 16 is removed and finally, the HDD 40 is replaced. This procedure does not allow the HDD 40 to be taken out prior to removal of the battery 15, thereby preventing the HDD 40 from being deteriorated and damaged due to the power supplied from the battery 15.

In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 5, the battery insertion and removal surface of the battery housing section 10 a and the attachment surface of the HDD housing section cover 16 are formed to be flush with a surface (under surface) of the notebook PC 1. Therefore, it is possible to improve workability when the HDD 40 is replaced at the time of maintenance and the like. Further, on the under surface side of the notebook PC 1, the portion (sliding margin) which allows the HDD housing section cover 16 to slide from the locked position where detachment is not allowed to the unlocked position where detachment is allowed, is covered by the battery 15. Therefore, outer appearance is improved. Moreover, the exposed surface of the battery 15 and the HDD housing section cover 16 form a part of the main unit 10 demarcating the outer shape of the notebook PC 1 and therefore, the amount of material to form the main unit 10 can be made small. Accordingly, the cost for manufacturing the notebook PC 1 can be reduced.

As described above, in the notebook PC 1, the HDD housing section cover 16 cannot be detached unless the battery 15 is in the state of being removed, and the sliding margin that allows the HDD housing section cover 16 to move is covered by the battery 15. Nevertheless, the memory-substrate housing section cover 17 (see FIG. 3) can be removed by being slid in the upper left direction in FIG. 3 even if the HDD housing section cover 16 is not in the state of being removed. In addition, the sliding margin that allows the memory-substrate housing section cover 17 to move is on the under surface of the notebook PC 1.

Now, with reference to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9, there will be described a modification in which the memory-substrate housing section cover 17 cannot be removed unless the HDD housing section cover 16 is removed and the sliding margin that allows the memory-substrate housing section cover 17 to move is covered by the battery 15.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the under surface of a notebook PC in the closed state, which is different from the notebook PC illustrated in FIG. 3, and FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the under surface of the main unit of the notebook PC illustrated in FIG. 8 with the battery, the HDD housing section cover and the memory-substrate housing section cover being removed.

Incidentally, the same components of the modification as those shown in FIG. 3 are assigned the same reference characters as those shown in FIG. 3 and only the points different from FIG. 3 will be described.

A notebook PC 2 illustrated in FIG. 8 is provided with a memory-substrate housing section cover 18. This memory-substrate housing section cover 18 covers a memory substrate 19 in which a memory 19 a illustrated in FIG. 9 is packaged and which is removably housed in the memory substrate housing section 10 c. In addition, movement of the memory-substrate housing section cover 18 from a locked position to an unlocked position is not allowed in the state where the HDD housing section cover 16 is mounted, whereas movement from the locked position to the unlocked position is allowed in the state where the HDD housing section cover 16 is removed. Therefore, in order to replace the memory substrate 19 at the time of maintenance and the like, the following operational procedure is required: first the battery 15 is removed and then, the HDD housing section cover 16 is removed and finally, the memory-substrate housing section cover 18 is removed to replace the memory substrate 19. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent deterioration of and damage to electronic components such as the memory 19 a packaged in the memory substrate 19 due to power supplied from the battery 15. In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 8, a portion A (sliding margin) on the under surface of the notebook PC 1 that allows the memory-substrate housing section cover 18 to move from the locked position where removal is not allowed to the unlocked position where removal is allowed is covered by the memory-substrate housing section cover 18 and therefore, outer appearance is improved.

This concludes the description of the modification with reference to FIG. 8 and FIG. 9. Now the description of the notebook PC 1 shown in Figures except for FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 will be resumed and continued.

[HDD Mounting Part]

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the HDD to which an HDD mounting part is attached as viewed from above. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the HDD to which the HDD mounting part is attached as viewed from below.

As illustrated in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, an HDD mounting part 41 is attached to an HDD 40. The HDD 40 has both sides 40 a and 40 a′ and a front end 40 b and a rear end 40 c as illustrated in FIG. 10. The HDD mounting part 41 is formed integrally with a metal sheet by molding. Accordingly, the cost for manufacturing the HDD mounting part 41 can be reduced thereby realizing reduction in thickness and weight. In addition, it is also realized that the HDD mounting part 41 is provided with spring property.

The HDD mounting part 41 has a pair of component fixing sections 41 a and 41 a′ extending along both sides 40 a and 40 a′, being fixed to the HDD 40 and having width of not more than the height of the HDD 40.

In addition, the HDD mounting part 41 has first HDD fixing sections 41 b and 41 b′ that extend from the pair of component fixing sections 41 a and 41 a′ up to positions apart from the front end 40 b of the HDD 40 and fixed to the main unit 10 of the notebook PC 1.

Moreover, the HDD mounting part 41 has a second HDD fixing section 41 c that extends from the pair of component fixing sections 41 a and 41 a′ up to a position apart from the rear end 40 c of the HDD 40 and fixed to the main unit 10.

The HDD mounting part 41 extends along both of the sides 40 a and 40 a′ of the HDD 40 and fixes the HDD 40 with the pair of component fixing sections 41 a and 41 a′ having width of not more than the height of the HDD 40. Therefore, the HDD mounting part 41 prevents an increase in the thickness of the notebook PC 1. Accordingly, as compared with a conventional technique for disposing the top panel on the top surface of an HDD, the HDD mounting part 41 contributes to a reduction in the thickness of the notebook PC 1.

In addition, the HDD mounting part 41 has, as described above, the first and second HDD fixing sections 41 b, 41 b′ and 41 c that extend from the pair of component fixing sections 41 a and 41 a′ up to the respective positions apart from the front end 40 b and the rear end 40 c of the HDD 40. Therefore, as illustrated in FIG. 11, a deflection arm A provided with so-called spring property is formed. Accordingly, even in the case where vibration and impact are externally applied to the HDD 40 fixed by the HDD mounting part 41, those vibration and impact can be absorbed by the deflection arm A. On the contrary, even if the HDD 40 fixed by the HDD mounting part 41 generates vibration, that vibration can be absorbed by the deflection arm A as well.

Moreover, the pair of component fixing sections 41 a and 41 a′ also have: first portions 41 a_1 and 41 a′_1 extending along but apart from the sides 40 a and 40 a′ of the HDD 40; and second portions 41 a_2 and 41 a′_2 sagging from the first portions 41 a_1 and 41 a′_1 toward the sides 40 a and 40 a′ to be in contact with the sides 40 a and 40 a′ and fixed to the HDD 40. Therefore, even in the case where the sides 40 a and 40 a′ of the HDD 40 are uneven and tolerance thereof is large, those unevenness and tolerance are absorbed at the first portions 41 a_1 and 41 a′_1 and the HDD 40 is securely fixed at the second portions 41 a_2 and 41 a′_2.

In other words, the pair of component fixing sections 41 a and 41 a′ respectively have side-along portions (a portion formed by the first portions 41 a_1, 41 a′_1 and the second portions 41 a_2, 41 a′_2) that extend from the front end 40 b to the rear end 40 c of the HDD 40 along the sides 40 a and 40 a′ of the HDD 40. The pair of component fixing sections 41 a and 41 a′ also respectively have front-end side bending portions (first HDD fixing sections 41 b and 41 b′) that extend from the side-along portions and bend toward the front end 40 b to cover a part of the front end 40 b. The pair of component fixing sections 41 a and 41 a′ also have a rear-end side bending portion (second HDD fixing section 41 c) that extend from the side-along portions and bends toward the rear end 40 c of the HDD 40 to cover a part of that rear end 40 c.

The second HDD fixing section 41 c is a single portion that extends from both of the pair of component fixing sections 41 a and 41 a′, and the first HDD fixing sections 41 b and 41 b′ are portions that extend from the pair of component fixing sections 41 a and 41 a′, respectively.

[Contact Structure of Hinge Member and Panel Attaching Member]

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating the notebook PC 1 with the front frame of the display unit 20 being removed.

FIG. 12 illustrates the display unit 20 provided with the display panel 21 including the display screen 21 a for displaying information in the state where the front surface of that display screen 21 a is exposed. In addition, the hinge member 30 bridging the display unit 20 and the main unit 10 in an openable and closable manner is illustrated. Moreover, a panel attaching member 50 which intervenes for fastening the display panel 21 to the display unit 20 is illustrated. In addition, in FIG. 12, a circuit substrate 60 for lighting the display panel 21 (described later) is also illustrated.

FIG. 13 is a perspective enlarged view of the hinge member 30 as well as a panel attaching member 50 illustrated in FIG. 12.

FIG. 13 illustrates a hinge fastening section 31 of the hinge member 30. The hinge fastening section 31 is fastened to the display unit 20. In addition, FIG. 13 illustrates a panel fastening section 51 of the panel attaching member 50. The panel fastening section 51 extends along and is fastened to the side of the display panel 21.

Specifically, the panel fastening section 51 of the panel attaching member 50 extends toward the main unit 10 to be arranged adjacent to the hinge fastening section 31, and fastened to the display unit 20 independently of the hinge fastening section 31. In addition, the panel fastening section 51 partially has a tongue piece 51 a that extends toward and contacts the hinge fastening section while overlaying the hinge fastening section 31 from the front surface side of the display screen.

In the notebook PC 1, the hinge member 30, which links the display unit 20 to the main unit 10 in an openable and closable manner, is fastened to the display unit 20 with the hinge fastening section 31 of the hinge member 30, and the panel attaching member 50, which has the panel fastening section 51 fixed to the side of the display panel 21 a, is fastened to the display unit 20 independently of the hinge fastening section 31. In other words, the hinge fastening section 31 of the hinge member 30 and the panel fastening section 51 of the panel attaching member 50 are attached to the display unit 20 separately. In addition, the panel fastening section 51 has the tongue piece 51 a. As illustrated in FIG. 13, the tongue piece 51 a is small in shape and thickness to merely touch the hinge fastening section 31. Therefore, dimension in the direction of thickness of the display unit 20 is made small and accordingly contributes to reduction in thickness of the notebook PC 1. In addition, in order to replace the display panel 21, there is no need to remove the hinge fastening section 31 of the hinge member 30, but only the panel fastening section 51 of the panel attaching member 50 needs to be removed.

FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating how the display panel 21 is removed from the display unit 10.

In order to remove the display panel 21 from the display unit 20, as illustrated in FIG. 14, there is no need to remove the hinge fastening section 31 of the hinge member 30, but only the panel fastening section 51 of the panel attaching member 50 needs to be removed. Accordingly, when replacing the display panel 21, there is no need to adjust the hinge member 30 to reach an attachment state and the display panel 21 can be replaced easily.

In addition, the hinge fastening section 31 of the hinge member 30 and the panel fastening section 51 of the panel attaching member 50 are both made of metal that is an electrically conductive material and electrically conduct with the tongue piece 51 a. Therefore, conduction of the main unit 10 and the display unit 20 to the ground can be secured through the contact by the tongue piece 51 a. Accordingly, there is no need to additionally provide a ground for the main unit 10 and the display unit 20 by using an electrically conductive member such as gasket and metal spring, for the purpose of preventing electromagnetic noise and electrostatic noise, thereby reducing the cost. Incidentally, there may be a case where conduction of the main unit 10 and the display unit 20 to the ground is not basically required as countermeasures against electromagnetic noise and electrostatic noise. In such a case, the tongue piece 51 a can be easily removed so that conduction of the main unit 10 and the display unit 20 to the ground can be readily cut off.

In addition, the display unit 20 has an area larger than the circumference of the display panel 21 and has a back plate 23 that houses the display panel 21 (see FIG. 14) and the front frame 26 that covers the periphery of the display panel 21 from the front surface side of the display screen 21 a (see FIG. 1). Moreover, as illustrated in FIG. 13, the hinge fastening section 31 has: a first hole 33 a for screwing the back plate 23 and the hinge fastening section 31 with a screw 32 except the front frame 26; and a second hole 33 b for screwing the hinge fastening section 31, the back plate 23 and the front frame 26 in the state where the hinge fastening section 31 is sandwiched between the back plate 23 and the front frame 26. Therefore, when the notebook PC 1 is assembled, the back plate 23 and the hinge fastening section 31 are temporarily fastened by means of the first hole 33 a with a screw and then, the front frame 26, the hinge fastening section 31 and the back plate 23 can be completely fastened by means of the second hole 33 b with a screw in the state where the hinge fastening section 31 is sandwiched between the back plate 23 and the front frame 26. Accordingly, the notebook PC 1 can be easily assembled.

Moreover, as illustrated in FIG. 13, the panel fastening section 51 goes around the hinge fastening section 31 and is positioned closer to the main unit 10 than the hinge fastening section 31 is. Therefore, the display unit 20 is provided with a sufficiently large display panel 21.

[Cross Structure of Hinge Member and Panel Attaching Member]

As described with reference to FIG. 12, FIG. 13 and FIG. 14, the panel attaching member 50 attached to the display panel 21 has the panel fastening section 51 that extends along the side surface of the display panel 21 toward the main unit 10 and goes around the hinge fastening section 31 fastened to the display unit 20, so that the panel fastening section 51 is positioned at the main unit 10 side of the hinge fastening section 31 and fastened to the display unit 20. That is, the panel fastening section 51 extends along the side surface of the display unit 20 until it reaches the lower part of the display unit 20. In this structure, when the display unit 20 is opened and closed with respect to the main unit 10, a large load applied to the lower section of the display unit 20 is received by the panel fastening section 51. Accordingly, while reduction in thickness of the notebook PC 1 is realized, strength in the lower section of the display unit 20 is enhanced so as to prevent the lower section of the display unit 20 from being damaged.

In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 13, the hinge member 30 has a shaft section 33 having a rotary shaft. In addition, the hinge fastening section 31 is attached to an end of the rotary shaft of the shaft section 33 and is fastened to the display unit 20 at such a position that the hinge fastening section 31 is farther away from the main unit 10 than the shaft section 33 is. Therefore, the panel fastening section 51 used for fastening the display panel 21 is fastened to the display unit 20 at a position closer to the main unit 10 while avoiding interference with the hinge fastening section 31.

In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 13, the panel fastening section 51 goes around toward the main unit 10 side of the hinge fastening section 31 and is fastened to the display unit 20 at a position up to which the shaft section 33 extends in the direction of the rotary shaft. Therefore, the extended portion of the shaft section 33 of the hinge member 30 is made stronger so that the display unit 20 can be smoothly opened and closed.

Moreover, the hinge fastening section 31 and the panel fastening section 51 are fastened to the display unit 20 independently of each other. Therefore, as described above, to replace the display panel 21, only the panel fastening section 51 has to be removed. Therefore, the display panel 21 can be easily replaced.

In addition, the panel fastening section 51 is provided with the tongue piece 51 a that extends toward the hinge fastening section 31 to touch the hinge fastening section 31 that overlays the hinge fastening section 31 from above (i.e. from the front surface side of the display screen 21 a). Here, the hinge fastening section 31 and the panel fastening section 51 are both made of metal and brought into electrical contact with the tongue piece 51 a. Accordingly, there is no need to additionally provide a ground for the main unit 10 and the display unit 20 by using an electrically conductive member such as gasket and metal spring, for the purpose of preventing electromagnetic noise and electrostatic noise, thereby reducing the cost. Incidentally, there may be a case where conduction of the main unit 10 and the display unit 20 to the ground is not basically required as countermeasures against electromagnetic noise and electrostatic noise. In such a case, the tongue piece 51 a can be easily removed so that conduction of the main unit 10 and the display unit 20 to the ground can be readily cut off.

Moreover, the display unit 20 has an area larger than the display panel 21, and has the back plate 23 that houses the display panel 21 and the front frame 26 that covers the periphery of that display panel 21 from the front surface side of the display screen 21 a. In addition, the hinge fastening section 31 has: the first hole 33 a for screwing the back plate 23 and the panel fastening section 31 except the front frame 26 with a screw 32; and the second hole 33 b for screwing the panel fastening section 31, the back plate 23 and the front frame 26, in the state where the panel fastening part 31 is interposed between the back plate 23 and the front frame 26. Therefore, for assembling the notebook PC 1, the back plate 23 and the hinge fastening section 31 are temporarily fastened by means of the first hole 33 a with the screw 32 and then, the front frame 26, the hinge fastening section 31 and the back plate 23 can be completely fastened by means of the second hole 33 b with a screw in the state where the hinge fastening section 31 is interposed between the back plate 23 and the front frame 26 with the second hole 33 b. Accordingly, the notebook PC 1 can be assembled easily.

[Fixing Structure of Display Panel Lighting Circuit Substrate]

For assembling the notebook PC 1 illustrated in FIG. 1, a display panel that matches the model and function of the notebook PC 1 is selected and the display unit 20 is provided with the selected display panel.

Specifically, the display unit 20 is provided with one display panel selected from a first display panel having one light source that emits light for backlighting and a second display panel having two light sources that emit light for backlighting. Therefore, there are prepared a first circuit substrate with a relatively small area to be selected when the first display panel is selected and a second circuit substrate with a relatively large area to be selected when the second display panel is selected.

FIG. 15 is a diagram illustrating a first circuit substrate 60 with a relatively small area being removed from the display unit.

Here, the display panel 21 is equivalent to the first display panel provided with one light source emitting light for backlighting. FIG. 15 illustrates a first circuit substrate 60 with a relatively small area for lighting the display panel 21. A lighting control circuit 61 composed of electronic components to control lighting of the one light source is mounted onto the first circuit substrate 60.

FIG. 16 is a diagram illustrating a second circuit substrate 70 for lighting the display panel provided with two light sources that emit light for backlighting.

A lighting control circuit 71 composed of electronic components to control lighting of the two light sources is mounted onto the second circuit substrate 70 illustrated in FIG. 16. That is, since electronic components for two lights are mounted on the second circuit substrate 70, dimensions including width and length of the second circuit substrate 70 are larger than the first circuit substrate 60. Incidentally, in both of the first circuit substrate 60 and the second circuit substrate 70, the height of the components mounted on the front surface of the substrate is higher than that of the components mounted on the rear side of the substrate. In addition, on the rear side of the substrate, only wiring may be formed and the components may not be mounted.

Now, referring back to FIG. 15, description will be continued. The display unit 20 illustrated in FIG. 15 is provided with a first supporting structure 81 supporting the first circuit substrate 60 and a substrate supporting section 80 having a second supporting structure 82 supporting the second circuit substrate 70.

The first supporting structure 81 has a supporting claw 81 a supporting the first circuit substrate 60 in the state where the front surface of the first circuit substrate 60 is directed upward. In addition, the first supporting structure 81 has a receiving section 81 b receiving the rear surface of the first circuit substrate 60.

On the other hand, the second supporting structure 82 has a stand 82 a on which the second circuit substrate 70 is mounted in the state where the front surface of the second circuit substrate 70 is directed downward.

FIG. 17 is an enlarged view of a part of the first supporting structure and a part of the first circuit substrate supported by the first supporting structure.

The first circuit substrate 60 illustrated in FIG. 17 is supported by the supporting claw 81 a of the first supporting structure 81 in the state where the front surface of the first circuit substrate 60 is directed upward. On the other hand, the second circuit substrate 70 is put on the stand 82 a of the second supporting structure 82 in the state where the front surface of the second circuit substrate 70 is directed downward.

Thus, the substrate supporting section 80 has the first supporting structure 81 supporting the first circuit substrate 60 with a relatively small area and the second supporting structure 82 supporting the second circuit substrate 70 with a relatively large area. Therefore, whichever the first circuit substrate 60 or the second circuit substrate 70 is selected, the selected circuit substrate can be supported by the circuit supporting section 80 which is a single member. Accordingly, the space of the display unit 20 can be made smaller as compared with the case where the display unit 20 having the display panel 21 built therein is provided with both of the substrate supporting section for supporting the first circuit substrate 60 and the substrate supporting section for supporting the second circuit substrate 70 separately.

In addition, in the case where the first circuit substrate 60 is selected, the front surface of the first circuit substrate 60 is directed upward and the first circuit substrate 60 is supported by the nail 81 a of the first supporting structure 81. In the case where the second circuit substrate 70 is selected, the front surface of the second circuit substrate 70 is directed downward and the second circuit substrate 70 is supported by the stand 82 a of the second supporting structure 82. By adopting such a structure, the upper and lower space of the substrate supporting section 80 is utilized effectively so that any circuit substrate selected from the first and second circuit substrates 60 and 70 can be supported.

In addition, the display unit 20 has the back plate 23 with an area larger than the display panel for housing the display panel and the front frame 26 covering the periphery of the display panel from the front surface side of the display screen. The substrate supporting section 80 is provided at such a position of the back plate 23 that the substrate supporting section 80 avoids overlapping the display panel. Such a structure contributes to reduction in thickness as compared with a case where the substrate supporting section 80 is disposed at such a position that the substrate supporting section 80 overlaps the display panel. In addition, the circuit substrate supported by the substrate supporting section 80 and the display panel are connected to each other with comparatively short wiring.

[Structure of Frame Body and Button of CD/DVD Drive Unit]

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the notebook PC 1 as viewed from the left side in an open state. FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a CD/DVD drive unit 14 removed from the main unit 10 of the notebook PC 1.

The main unit 10 illustrated in FIG. 18 is provided, on its left side, with the CD/DVD drive unit 14 in which a storage medium such as CD and DVD is loaded and which drives the loaded storage medium.

The CD/DVD drive unit 14 is provided with a tray 141, in which a removable storage medium is loaded and which drives the loaded storage medium, and a housing body 142 that houses the tray 141 illustrated in FIG. 19 in a slidable manner. In addition, the CD/DVD drive unit 14 is provided with a frame body 143 that covers the front-end surface of the housing body 142 where the tray 141 slides out from the housing body 142. The frame body 143 forms a part of the main unit 10 of the notebook PC 1 when the CD/DVD drive unit 14 is mounted onto the notebook PC 1. The frame body 143 has a flexible portion 143 a that will be described later. In addition, the frame body 143 has an opening 143 b for causing the tray 141 to slide out from the housing body 142 with a tool at the time of maintenance. Description will be continued with reference to FIG. 20 and FIG. 21.

FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating the rear surface of the frame body 143 removed from the tray 141. FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating the front-end surface of the tray 141 with the frame body 143 being removed.

The front surface of the tray 141 illustrated in FIG. 21 is provided with a button 141 a that causes the tray 141 to slide out from the housing body 142 when pressed. In addition, the flexible portion 143 a of the frame body 143 has, as illustrated in FIG. 20, a protrusion 143 c that protrudes toward the tray 141 on the rear surface of the frame body 143 facing the tray 141 and is positioned adjacent to the button 141 a. When externally pressed, the flexible portion 143 a deflects toward the tray 141 so that the tip of the protrusion 143 c pushes the button 141 a. As a result, the tray 141 slides out from the housing body 142. Here, the frame body 143 is provided with the flexible portion 143 a that deflects toward the tray 141 and the protrusion 143 c that pushes the button 141 a, and the frame body 143 is integrally formed by molding, thereby reducing the cost. In addition, the button 141 a provided in the tray 141 is depressed by the tip of the protrusion 143 c provided in the rear surface of the frame body 143. Such a structure makes it possible to arrange the tray 141 at a position sufficiently deeper than the frame body 143. Accordingly, even if the frame body 143 deflects toward the tray 141, the tray 141 is hardly visible through a gap formed due to the deflection, which prevents impairment of the outer appearance.

More specifically, as illustrated in FIG. 20, the frame body 143 has a slit 143 d which extends along a contour line of the frame body 143 while surrounding the protrusion 143 c to define the flexible portion 143 a except a partial area of the contour line. The slit 143 d is formed through the frame body 143 to appear on the front and rear surfaces of the frame body 143. In addition, the flexible portion 143 a is designed to, upon being pressed, deflect thereby elastically bending at the partial region. Therefore, the flexible portion 143 a of the frame body 143 is formed in a simply manner.

In addition, the frame body 143 has a rib 143 e that stands on its rear surface facing the tray 141 and abuts the front-end surface of the tray 141. Therefore, weight as well as material cost of the frame body 143 is reduced while high strength of the frame body 143 is maintained.

Moreover, the frame body 143 is a molded resin product obtained by integrally molding the entire frame body 143 including the flexible portion 143 a. Therefore, manufacturing cost of the CD/DVD drive unit 14 is reduced.

[Structure of Heat Radiating Unit]

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a heat radiating unit 90 provided in the main unit. FIG. 23 is a diagram of the heat radiating unit 90 illustrated in FIG. 22 as viewed from back. FIG. 24 is an exploded perspective view of the heat radiating unit 90 illustrated in FIG. 23.

The heat radiating unit 90 illustrated in FIG. 22 is disposed on a circuit substrate 100 of the main unit 10. A heat-producing component such as a CPU is mounted on the circuit substrate 100. The heat radiating unit 90 is provided with a fan 91 for blowing air and a heat radiating member 92 made of metal with heat radiating fins 92 a arranged to transfer heat to the passing air.

In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 23 and FIG. 24, the heat radiating unit 90 has a fan fixing section 93 where the fan 91 is fixed and a metal-made supporting member 95 having a heat-radiating-member biasing section 94 disposed between the fan fixing section 93 and an air outlet 101 (see FIG. 22). The heat-radiating-member biasing section 94 has an opening facing downward, i.e. facing the direction opposite to the circuit substrate 100 and biases the heat radiating member 92 toward the circuit substrate 100. The metal-made supporting member 95 forms an airflow path in cooperation with the main unit 10.

Here, the heat radiating member 92 has, on its undersurface, an endothermic section 92 b for contacting the top surface of a first heat-producing component disposed on the circuit substrate 100 so as to absorb heat from the first heat-producing component.

In addition, the supporting member 95 has an endothermic arm 95 a that extends toward and contacts the top surface of a second heat-producing component on the circuit substrate 100 so as to absorb heat from the second heat-producing component. The second heat-producing component and the first heat-producing component have the top surfaces of different heights.

In the heat radiating unit 90, heat generated by the first heat-producing component is absorbed by the endothermic section 92 b of the heat radiating member 92, and heat generated by the second heat-producing component whose top surface has a height different from that of the first heat-producing component is absorbed by the endothermic arm 95 a of the supporting member 95. Accordingly, heat generated by both the first and the second heat-producing components having the top surfaces of different heights can be absorbed with a simple structure.

In addition, the heat-radiating-member biasing section 94 is provided with a plate spring 94 a having a deforming stroke for providing a force toward the top surface of the first heat-producing component. Therefore, the heat radiating member 92 is securely pressed against and abuts the top surface of the first exothermic member.

When assembling the notebook PC illustrated in FIG. 1, there is a case where a component that matches the model and function of the notebook PC is selected as the first heat-producing component from among two or more types of heat-producing components (CPU, for example) having different heights, and the selected first heat-producing component is mounted on the circuit substrate 100. Even in such a case, the heat radiating member 92 can be securely pressed against and abut the top surface of the selected first heat-producing component by the plate spring 94 a.

In addition, as described above, the heat radiating member 92 and the supporting member 95 are both made of metal and thus can absorb the heat generated by the first and second heat-producing components having the top surfaces of different heights. 

1. An electronic apparatus comprising: a display panel having a display screen for displaying information and a light source for lighting the display screen; a circuit substrate mounted with a light control circuit for controlling lighting of the light source; and an enclosure that has a substrate supporting section for supporting the circuit substrate, and houses and covers the circuit substrate, the enclosure housing the display panel such that a front surface of the display screen is exposed, wherein the display panel is a panel selected from among plural display panels having different numbers of light sources, the circuit substrate is either a first circuit substrate with a relatively small area to be selected when a first display panel is selected from among the plural display panels or a second circuit substrate with a relatively large area to be selected when a second display panel is selected from among the plural display panels, and the substrate supporting section has a first supporting structure for supporting the first circuit substrate and a second supporting structure for supporting the second circuit substrate.
 2. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the circuit substrate has a front side where circuit components composing the light control circuit are mounted, the first supporting structure has a supporting claw for supporting the first circuit substrate such that a front side of the first circuit substrate and the front surface of the display screen face in the same direction, and the second supporting structure has a stand on which the second circuit substrate is mounted such that a front side of the second circuit substrate and the front surface of the display screen face in opposite directions.
 3. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the enclosure has a back plate with an area larger than the display panel for housing the display panel and a front frame for covering a periphery of the display panel from the front surface side of the display screen, and the substrate supporting section is disposed at such a position of the back plate that the substrate supporting section avoids overlapping the display panel.
 4. The electronic apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a second enclosure coupled to the enclosure in an openable and closable manner.
 5. The electronic apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the second enclosure is an enclosure that forms a data-processing unit provided with a keyboard disposed on a top surface thereof to input an instruction according to an operation.
 6. A display panel enclosure that houses a display panel having a display screen for displaying information and a light source for lighting the display screen, wherein: the display panel is a panel selected from among plural display panels having different numbers of light sources, the display panel enclosure comprises a circuit substrate mounted with a light control circuit for controlling lighting of the light source, the circuit substrate being either a first circuit substrate with a relatively small area to be selected when a first display panel is selected from among the plural display panels or a second circuit substrate with a relatively large area to be selected when a second display panel is selected from among the plural display panels, and the display panel enclosure further comprises a substrate supporting section that includes a first supporting structure for supporting the first circuit substrate and a second supporting structure for supporting the second circuit substrate.
 7. The display panel enclosure according to claim 6, wherein the circuit substrate has a front side where circuit components composing the light control circuit are mounted, the first supporting structure has a supporting claw for supporting the first circuit substrate such that a front side of the first circuit substrate and the front surface of the display screen face in the same direction, and the second supporting structure has a stand on which the second circuit substrate is mounted such that a front side of the second circuit substrate and the front surface of the display screen face in opposite directions.
 8. The display panel enclosure according to claim 6, further comprising a back plate with an area larger than the display panel for housing the display panel and a front frame for covering a periphery of the display panel from the front surface side of the display screen, wherein the substrate supporting section is disposed at such a position of the back plate that the substrate supporting section avoids overlapping the display panel. 